Worth it?

[Swampman]

I saw a like new Savage 99 in .243 yesterday with a mounted Bushnell Sportview 3X9 for $399.00. Is that a good buy? The stock was walnut.

[tscott]

Like new = yes... If the serial # is pre million, yes, yes, yes!!! Can the scope, and put a low power Leupold on it!

[Swampman]

I could stick the scope on a 10-22

[Hairtrigger]

Did Savage make the 243 in pre mil???
Has the receiver been drilled and tapped? If so That may be a ok price but no bargain

[Ron T.]

Swampie....

Savage added the .243 and .358 Winchester calibers to their Models 99R, RS, EG in 1956 and the "F" model in 1959.

To give you an age, I'd need the rifle's serial number and it's Lever Boss Code (if it has one).

The Lever Boss Code ("LBC") is located in a small, lightly-stamped oval on the front, lower side of the "lever boss" which is that extension on the lower, front side of the receiver into which the lever is fitted and rotates.

You will find a VERY lightly stamped oval, a number (the inspector's number) and a letter (A through X).  There may be only a partial oval and/or LBC inside the oval.  Use a magnifying glass if you have one.

The LBC is a more accurate method of indicating the year of manufacture... even more accurate than the rifle's serial number.

As concerns it's value... if the rifle is in reasonably good condition... it's EASLY worth $400 regardless of what model it is!!!  Buy it QUICK 'cause they ain't makin' any more of 'em.


Hairtrigger......
Yes, in the last year Savage manufactured rifles at their plant in Chicopee Falls, Mass. (before they  moved to Westfield, Mass. in 1960), they made some Model 99s in .243 with serial numbers in the 900,000's... I.E. , "pre-mils".


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[Hairtrigger]

Ron

I was under the impression that the LBC's were only for the newer guns ... maybe only post mil's

[Ron T.]

Trigger...

The LBCs were used from approximately serial number 530xxx in 1949 through serial number (approx.) 965xxx in late 1959.

Savage began using the Lever Boss Code in 1949 with the inspector's number plus the letter "A".  The LBC letter was changed to a "B" in 1950, to a "C" in 1951, to a "D" in 1952, to an "E" in 1953... and so on.  This annual letter change continued through 1970 when Savage ceased using the LBC. 

Look at the "sticky" at the head of this main forum and you'll see where I posted all the LBC's a year or two ago.

The "pre-mil" years (1949-1960) had LBC's and serial number BELOW "1-million".  Savage continued the use of Lever Boss Codes AFTER they moved their manufacturing facilities in 1960 from Chicopee Falls, Mass. to Westfield, Mass. (where they still are located).

The "post-mil" years began in 1960 when the Model 99's serial numbers went over the 1 million mark... thus the name, "post-mil" for "post million" serial numbers.

I hope this clarifies this for you and asnwers your question.   


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.